'Humbled' Baker Mayfield understands Buccaneers responsibility after 3 NFL teams 'gave up' on him (Exclusive)
Baker Mayfield has had a roller coaster few years in the NFL. From a promising debut season where he went on to break the rookie touchdown record for a QB, to being cut midway through the 2022 NFL season, things haven't quite panned out for Mayfield as planned.
The 2018 first-overall pick now finds himself with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, his fourth team in three years. Now 27, Mayfield is aware of the shoes he has to fill in 2023. With Tom Brady now retired, the spotlight firmly rests on the former Browns QB.
Buccaneers Radio Network reporter T.J. Rives, while appearing on Sportskeeda's Ballfather podcast, delved a bit deeper into the QB's acquisition:
"Baker Mayfield comes in and I think he's been humbled. I think he was humble in that press conference and understands that three teams gave up on him in 2022."
Rives went on to note how the QB landed up in Tampa in the first place:
"The Browns gave up on me, the Panthers gave up on me. Then, he had a cup of coffee and had a great Thursday night game with the Rams. But even the Rams elected not to re-sign him."
Mayfield's role as QB1 is of course not as secure as one would think. While Rives believes the QB will start, any slip-up could see their backup take over:
"I think part of the argument from him and his agent is that he was going to have a chance to start in Tampa Bay... I believe it will be a competition with the former Florida Gator, Kyle Trask. A former second-rounder."
Baker Mayfield steps up to address Tom Brady comparisons
Baker Mayfield currently has to deal with the pressure of finally cementing a QB1 role in the NFL. On top of that, replacing Tom Brady is no easy feat either.
The QB was questioned about Brady and how he plans on showing up as compared to his predecessor. He was quick to strike down any comparisons:
"Listen, I’m never going to be Tom Brady. There’s a reason why he’s won so many Super Bowls. He’s the greatest of all time, there’s no doubt about that."
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The former Heisman winner insisted that he was focused on making his own piece of history in Tampa Bay:
"I’m not going to try to be Tom. I’m going to be me. That’s what’s gotten me to this point. We’re going to do it differently."
Fans remain divided among themselves over Baker. The QB has shown in the past that he can deliver wins when it matters. But to nail down a starting role, he has to overcome the inconsistencies that have plagued him throughout his NFL career.